Lowcountry plays host to five 5Ks on Saturday, including two for veterans

The third annual Run for the Yorktown starts at 8 a.m. Saturday behind the parking lot for the aircraft carrier at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant. Provided

If I ever need proof that the 5K is the most common fundraiser in the Charleston area, this is the weekend I’ll point to. There’s not one or two, but five 5Ks that will be held Saturday, including two with Veteran’s Day themes.

Run for Yorktown

Perhaps the coolest among them will be the USS Yorktown CV-10 Association’s third annual Run for the Yorktown at 8 a.m. Saturday behind the parking lot for the aircraft carrier at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant.

The 5K will feature a pre-race flyover by a squadron of CJ-6 aircraft from the Red Star Pilots Association and an unusual starting gun: a blast from an howitzer.

The race begins behind the Yorktown parking lot, goes out the back entrance, turns down Patriots Point Boulevard, continuing to Harry Hallman Boulevard, down into Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park to the turnaround, then returns on the same route, with the finish line on the pier running toward the Yorktown.

The race will conclude with a post-race party on the ship with local band Gracious Day, followed by an awards ceremony.

The fee is $30 or $35 on Saturday. Proceeds will benefit the Patriots Point Institute of History and Science education program that allows fifth-grade students from local school districts to hear stories about World War II veterans and naval aviation history, as well as get hands-on with local marine animals.

Fight for Air

One race that I hope won’t get lost in the shuffle is the sixth annual Fight for Air Run/Walk, which also includes a 10K, on Saturday at Folly Beach’s Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier. The 10K starts at 8:45 a.m. and the 5K at 9:05 a.m.

Lucey Mortgage Corp. is partnering with the local American Lung Association for the event as part of Lung Cancer and COPD Awareness Month. Lung cancer affects more than 370,000 Americans each year and is the most common cancer worldwide, accounting for 1.3 million deaths annually.

The fee is $35 and includes a free breakfast provided by Locklear’s Beach City Grill, race and fundraising awards, games after the races and music by Annalise. Proceeds support lung disease research, lung health education programs, lung disease support groups and healthy air initiatives.

Teacher’s supplies

The second annual Feet First Run for Success 5K will be at 9 a.m. Saturday at Wannamaker County Park in North Charleston. It also includes a 1-mile run for kids. The fee is $25 for the 5K and $10 for the kids run. Proceeds benefit the Teachers’ Supply Closet.

Old Village 5K

Civilized ride

Stepping off the 5K treadmill is a different kind of event, the second annual Tweed Ryde.

From noon-5:00 p.m. Saturday, locals cycling enthusiasts plan to slow down a bit and have a casual bike ride through downtown Charleston. Besides a bike, tweed apparel is a must, according to the event’s Facebook page. And while riders will start with a lunch at Fuel and then end with a ride at a local bar, the organizer stresses that the ride is “not a booze cruise.”

Bikes 4 Honduras

As part of a bicycle drive ending Nov. 15, Gildan Activewear is partnering with Bikes of the World and the Adelante Foundation to benefit those in need in Honduras. Gildan is seeking 300 bikes, as well as some bike mechanics this weekend.

Those with an unwanted bike are encourage to drop it off at Gildan, 1980 Clements Ferry Road, or 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Mike’s Bike Shop on Coleman Boulevard.

Celebrity softball

I typically don’t include spectator sports in this column, but since the Southwest Airlines Slim Down the South Celebrity Softball Challenge raises awareness and money for Louie’s Kids to combat childhood obesity, it might be a fun way to spend an afternoon after a 5K.

The event is Saturday at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park. Gates open at noon and the game begins at 2 p.m. Celebrities taking part include Bill Murray and Adam Rodriguez.

But the heavy hitters attending the event will be some of the organizations that have the like-minded mission of making Charleston and South Carolina as a whole a healthier place to live.

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